City Approves Resolution Regarding Campaign Finance Reform

Butler City Council met for its last meeting of the year on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018.
Photo: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network

The City of Butler has approved a resolution calling for fair elections, and the restoration of constitutional rights.

The request was put forward by city resident Dane Winkler last month, but some council members were not comfortable with the language so a revision was made to focus on campaign finance reform.

Mayor Ben Smith read the motion during a meeting Thursday.

“A resolution created by American Promise calling the United States Congress to propose, and send to the states for ratification, a Constitutional Amendment to restore Constitutional rights and fair elections to the people,” Smith read.

All council members voted in favor, except for one. Councilman Jeff Smith cast the lone dissenting vote because, in his opinion, this is not specifically a city issue.

“To vote in favor of this resolution would, in my opinion, be taking advantage of my position as a council person to promote a personal agenda. I would be speaking for nearly 14,000 people without their consent, as I believe the voters only granted me their consent for me to vote on matters pertaining to the city,” Jeff Smith said.

Smith did make a point to commend Winkler for his persistent advocacy on this issue, and says he is willing to try to arrange a meeting with federal representatives to discuss further.